Focusrite Announces the ISA 430 Producer Pack

ISA 430
(Click for a larger picture)

February 7, 2000 -- Digidesign exhibits the Focusrite line of analog signal processors at the Winter NAMM tradeshow. Among these are the Platinum, Red and ISA Range processors. One of the products showcased will be the newly released ISA 430 Producer Pack. The ISA 430 brings together key audio processing elements into one unit, to be used together as one "super channel" or as separate processing sections.

The Producer Pack starts with the classic Focusrite transformer-coupled microphone pre- amplifier plus line and instrument inputs with phantom power and phase reverse with a direct output. The next section consists of a single channel of EQ based on the legendary ISA 110, and featured in the Focusrite ISA 215 and the brand new ISA 110 Vintage re-issue. The Compressor and Gate/Expander featuring proprietary Class A VCA and side-chain circuitry as used in the vintage ISA 130 and Red 3, can be placed before or after the EQ circuit. Following the Gate/Expander is the De-esser. An opto-based design, it uses a combination of EQ and phase cancellation to create a de-esser which is smoother and less obtrusive than conventional designs. Last but not least, a frequency adaptive, 3-band limiter is provided to ensure distortion free limiting.

Routing and monitoring options for the Producers Pack are extremely thorough. The discrete insert send and return may be placed before EQ or Dynamics, between the two or after both. Each band of the EQ, including the filters, can be routed to the sidechain of the compressor or gate for accurate drum gating or frequency selective compression. The classic, large analog VU meter can be switched to display input, insert return or gain-reduction level. "Listen" mode allows monitoring of the sidechains of the Compressor, Gate and De-esser so that accurate frequency adjustment can be made when tailoring the various dynamic effects. Another very unique feature of the Producer Pack’s routing capability is "split mode". The ISA 430 can be run as a single channel "Producer Pack" or split, to act as two independent processors running discrete audio paths.

An optional 24 bit / 96 kHz digital output (AES/EBU, S/PDIF & TOSLINK) offers 44.1 - 96 kHz operation, 16, 20 and 24 bit resolution selection and can lock to external Word Clock, including Pro Tools Super Clock. It can be used as a high-quality mono/stereo tracking converter or at mix down as a stereo converter for final mastering.

Focusrite Managing Director, Simon Blackwood, comments: "The ISA 430 redefines the role of classic analog processing in the digital age. Combining state of the art surface mount circuit implementation, distortion-free, relay-based switching, battery-backed switch-state logic and 24/96 ready, the ISA 430 provides the engineer, producer and recording musician with all the Focusrite essentials in one incredibly versatile unit."

The ISA 430 is available now at an MSRP of $3,495 (USD). Customers can purchase the unit with the A/D digital board option pre-installed for $3,995 (USD) or separately for $495 (USD).

For more information, visit Focusrite on the web at www.focusriteusa.com .